Here's how much the new Volkswagen Polo GTI will cost in SA

The new Volkswagen Polo GTI is scheduled to launch in South Africa in June 2018, but CARmag.co.za has managed to unearth local pricing a little early.

And, rather unusually, according to information that appeared briefly on VW SA's website, the new hot hatch will be priced slightly lower than the model it replaces. Yes, while the DSG version of the previous-generation Polo GTI came in at R379 900 before it exited our market earlier this year, the new model will apparently start at R375 900.

The reason behind the small price-drop? Well, we’re guessing it has something to do the fact that the new Polo GTI will be built at Uitenhage right here in South Africa, alongside the cooking versions (its forebear was, of course, sourced from Spain).

Standard features on SA-spec models will include the "Composition Media" infotainment system, 17-inch "Milton Keynes" alloys (wrapped in 215/45 rubber), "Art Velour" leather interior trim, heated front seats, tyre pressure monitoring and an XDS electronic differential lock. The brand’s active info display will be optional, as will 18-inch alloys, a panoramic sunroof, LED headlamps and parking sensors.From what we can tell, four exterior colours will be offered in SA: Pure White, Flash Red, Reef Blue Metallic and Deep Black Pearlescent.

As a reminder, the new five-door Polo GTI’s turbocharged 2,0-litre, four-cylinder engine makes 147 kW and 320 N.m, and is connected to a six-speed dual-clutch transmission as standard (a six-speed manual gearbox is expected to follow at a later stage, although has not yet been confirmed for South Africa).

So, just how quick is the DSG-equipped Polo GTI? Well, Volkswagen claims a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 6,7 seconds … which is (a little disappointingly) precisely the same as the previous version. In addition, VW has confirmed a top speed of 237 km/h for the self-shifting variant, up ever-so-slightly from the last model’s 236 km/h.

Claimed fuel consumption, however, comes in at 5,9 L/100 km, which is some 0,3 L/100 km worse than the preceding model. Similarly, claimed CO2 emissions climb from 129 g/km for the old 1,8-litre unit to 134 g/km for the new model’s 2,0-litre four-pot. We guess that’s the downside of, er, upsizing...

Ryan has spent most of his career in online media, writing about everything from sport to politics and other forms of crime. But his true passion – reignited by a 1971 Austin Mini Mk3 still tucked lifeless in a dark corner of his garage – is of the automotive variety.